Being a Palestinian
It hurts when I see the people I love bleeding tears. The only thing that comforts me is the fact, that we are Palestinians. Being a Palestinian means that we have strength in spite of injustice, hope in spite of the misery, and smiles in spite of pains.
Escaping from final exams pressure, I went to a wedding with my sisters. Everyone around me was smiling, clapping and dancing for the bride and the groom except for me. My smile turned into tears.
I incidentally met an old friend, from whom I had not heard anything since the ninth grade. We had been in the same class until I moved to another school. I was so happy to see her after five years. However, her situation made me feel sad.
As I greeted her, I noticed an innocent, cute child playing in front of us. “This girl is my daughter.” My friend said with a smile. “Are you joking?” I gasped. “You are only 18 years old!” I couldn’t believe my eyes. She was a mother of a two-year-old girl! I tried to pull myself together in order not to show how surprised I was. “When was your wedding? Are you happy?” I asked.
“Thank God, I am bringing up my daughter alone,” she said. I kept silent but I am sure my face’s features showed my astonishment. Many thoughts filled my brain. I was thinking if she had broken up with her husband, or if had he left her alone and travelled. I waited for her to continue because really I couldn’t speak then expecting bad news. Suddenly, she got out her wallet and showed me her husband’s picture. “Isn’t he handsome? He is not alive anymore; he was martyred,” she said proudly.
It took me quite long time to understand that she is a widow at such a young age. I didn’t say a word. I felt helpless because I was sure that her sorrow was too deep. Yet, she hid that behind the smile of pride. “How was he martyred?” I asked.
“Two years ago,” she answered with shining eyes, I felt the tears were trying to fell from her eyes but not a tear in sight. “He was in Biet_Hanoon, visiting a friend, when suddenly a rocket shelled an empty area close to him and he was one of the victims. Israel justified this with a trivial excuse as usual, seeing that the empty area is the place where resistance groups trained.”
Just looking at her red eyes following her daughter was killing me. I was bewildered. What was his fault to die in the age of twenty-three after a week of his daughter’s birth? And what is her guilt to deserve being a widow leading hers and her life alone with her daughter? I believe that it’s their destiny, but it’s really a hard one to accept. However, she had. She buried her sorrow and for her daughter, played both the role of mother and father.
I realized that the miserable Palestinian life has some good aspects. It creates iron people able to lead their lives no matter how tough the going gets. That’s why now; I am not surprised that I met my friend at a wedding. Israel has to know that we are strong enough to handle anything no matter how hard it is. In Palestine, Life goes on despite the sorrow.
PALESTINE FROM MY EYES 
Hi Shahed, this is so sad and you are right about the inner strength and resilience of your people. It is fascinating! Please give my regards to your mum and dad Majd, Tamam (is she in the US?) and Mohammed. I have to write to Majid – how is he doing? I have returned home a week yesterday. It was good to se my family – only when I got here I realised how much I missed tem. But I miss you guys too and think about Gaza and what goes on there all the time. Looking forward to reading more of your blogs! Lots of love Rada xx
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July 8, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Thank you my dear Rada for this comment. I can imagine how much you missed your family while your were here for 6 months. We miss you alot. We knew that you went back home when bianca came last Friday. She will go back Malta, too :(. All my family are fine and they send their regards to you and your family. Tamam will not go because there are some problems in her visa. Majed is doing good. He is in Germamny now and so happy since he finally managed to pass Rafah border. Keep in touch honey.
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July 8, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Dear Shahd,Your story was shocking, tragic, & very moving (it made my own problems seem so petty). It needs to be published in every newspaper in America (maybe we could forward it to some U.S. news outlets). Perhaps then, Americans will demand that our Government cut off military aid to Israel, hold them to account, support a UN resolution condemning their war crimes, land theft, countless human rights abuses, &–finally–mandating reparations, a return to pre-1967 borders, & sovereign statehood for the Palestinians.
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July 8, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Thank you David. This is only an example. There are thousands who lived the same situation. David, your words are very supporting. I hope that my writting can be published somewhere, so that people can read and do something instead of being motionless. I really hope that all what you said come into being.
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July 8, 2010 at 6:10 pm
You write very beautifully. All I can say, is that peace won't come through martyrdom. It can only come by reaching towards one another across the fences and walls of artificially heated hatred. And this can only happen when both sides realise that this is their only path for peace.
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July 19, 2010 at 1:24 am
Thank you Graines for this comment. I agree that martydom is not the only way to gain peace. In this example, my friend's husband was killed. He didn't ask for martyrdom exactly like most of the Martyrs. The majority are victims from civilians.
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July 19, 2010 at 3:12 am
Dear brothers and sisters, Hello everyone,To all of you and all of you who are thirsty for truth, justice, peace and love and in answer to your prayers, I suggest reading and meditating on these encouraging texts I had the good fortune to discover and the joy of sharing with you.You'll find them at: http://www.voiechristique.co.za/nature_of_existence.phpYour feedback and comments are always welcome.May the life of Christ testify to the spirit of the beauty of the kingdom of heaven in the heart of men. May the glory of God free you forever from the heavy burden that stifles your divine joy that still sleeps in a lot of people.Fraternally in Christ.Sosefo "Life is Life"
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July 20, 2010 at 10:41 am
Chers frères et sœurs, Bonjour à tous et à toutes,A vous tous et à vous toutes qui avez soif de vérité, de justice de paix et d'amour et en réponse à vos prières, je vous suggère la lecture et la méditation de ces textes encourageants que j'ai eu le bonheur de découvrir et la joie de partager avec vous.Vous les trouverez sur : http://www.voiechristique.co.za/nature_of_existence.phpVos remarques et commentaires seront toujours les bienvenus.Puisse la vie de Christ témoigner à votre esprit de la beauté du royaume des cieux dans le cœur des hommes. Puisse la gloire de Dieu vous délivrer à jamais du lourd fardeau qui étouffe votre divine joie qui sommeille encore en beaucoup de personnes.Fraternellement en Christ.Sosefo "Life is Life"
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July 20, 2010 at 10:42 am
Thank you Sosefo for this nice comment. It's realy nice words. I wish I can read French to be able to read what the link contains :)
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July 27, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Salaam sis,it shook me really…but soon the tyrants will meet their end. Your writing is amazing. I also think that such stories need to come in light to the majority of the ppl around the world. All I can say, keep the hope burning. May Allah bless you and all the tough ppl of amazing Palestine :)
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November 7, 2010 at 11:45 am
Thank you Rafi very much :) That's why I'm publishing such stories here! I would like people to read it. I hope it leaves the same feeling of you in their hearts. Thanks again
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January 8, 2011 at 1:07 am